Four of the UK’s most ambitious comic publishers have joined Comic Book UK, the trade association that recently launched to drive growth in the UK’s comic book industry. The new members shine a light on the potential for growth in UK comics, with each committed to bringing new titles to market, developing new intellectual property and creating new opportunities for British comic creators.
The group are part of a new wave of UK comic publishing companies that are inspiring new readers with the classic characters of the future. They include:
- Time Bomb Comics, publisher of the anthology title ‘Quantum’ and series including ‘Western Noir’ and ‘Flintlock’;
- Markosia, which has won a worldwide audience for its range of graphic novels covering multiple genres, generating over 450 intellectual properties and securing options with producers around the world;
- 77 Publishing, producers of graphic novels and anthology comics including ‘The77’, ‘Blazer’, ‘This Comic is Haunted’, ‘Pandora’ and ‘Lolz’;
- SHIFT Publishing, which publishes new work by a host of independent comic creators alongside its flagship anthology title ‘SHIFT’.
Mark Fuller, Comic Book UK Chief Executive, said:
“We could not be happier to welcome this new group of exciting British comic companies to Comic Book UK. The success they have already achieved and the ambition they have to go further send a very clear message about the potential for growth in UK comics.
“We know that there is a huge appetite across the UK and beyond for the exciting stories and incredible characters that can only be found in the pages of comic books. These companies – and the creators they work with – are ready to meet that demand and drive the next great boom in British comics!”
Comic Book UK’s new members join the six founding partners that launched the association in March, including the publishers of titles featuring world-famous characters like Judge Dredd, Dennis the Menace and Bunny vs Monkey. Over the coming months they will work together to develop proposals to support growth in the UK comics industry. These will include recommendations for targeted tax reliefs to de-risk investment in new comic titles; evidence of the potential returns on investing in comic enterprises; and programmes to develop new generations of industry-ready creative talent.
The announcement of new members coincides with a reception to celebrate UK comics held in the UK’s House of Commons. Politicians from across each of the UK’s main political parties – including Creative Industries Minister Sir Chris Bryant MP – joined UK comic creators, industry leaders and senior figures from the wider creative sector to celebrate the UK’s comic heritage and look to its future.
Mark Fuller, Comic Book UK Chief Executive, added:
“It was wonderful to see politicians from across the political spectrum and friends from the wider creative sectors join us to celebrate our industry. We’re looking forward to working with them on measures to grow the UK comics industry in the months and years ahead. ”
Steve Tanner, Publisher at Time Bomb Comic said:
“The UK has a rich comics history, which continues to thrive and evolve through a wonderfully diverse range of contemporary titles and creators. It’s something we should be proud of, but also something really worth shouting about, so Time Bomb Comics is delighted to add its voice and support to Comic Book UK and their creative partners.”
Adrian Clarke, Director at SHIFT Publishing said:
“Shift is incredibly excited to be joining Comic Book UK, whose mission is very much the core of why we publish – shining a light on new and existing talent, and bringing them to an audience that may otherwise miss the incredible creators and their storytelling.”
Harry Markos, Publisher at Markosia said:
“We are thrilled to be part of this groundbreaking association. Our mission has always
been clear, to shine a spotlight on the incredible and diverse talent within the UK comics scene, to encourage new voices, and broaden access to comic literature across schools, libraries, festivals, and cultural institutions. Comic Book UK will help achieve that.”
Ben Cullis, Publisher at 77 Publishing said:
“Joining Comic Book UK is such a logical step to drive our ambition to put our proudly British comics in front of the biggest worldwide audience.”
